Ryan Giggs has warned his Manchester United team-mates that they must match Chelsea's hunger if they are to successfully defend their Premier League title. United's title defence began with an uninspiring 1-1 draw at home to Kevin Keegan's Newcastle on the same afternoon as Chelsea's impressive 4-0 demolition of Portsmouth.

Wins by Arsenal and Liverpool mean that Sir Alex Ferguson's side already find themselves two points adrift from the rest of the big four, and with trips to Anfield and Stamford Bridge in September - minus Ronaldo - Giggs believes they will have to match the Blues' performance levels.

"Chelsea did not win the Premier League last year," Giggs said. "I have been in that position. You are hungry and determined, and you want to win it, simple as that. We have got to match their determination, their hunger and their desire. But we have players at the club who have tasted success over the last couple of years and want more."

Ferguson will also be keeping his fingers crossed over the next couple of days that when Dimitar Berbatov returns from international duty in Bosnia he will be one step closer to becoming a United player. The Bulgaria skipper has made his desire to leave Tottenham clear for some time saying it is his 'dream' to play at Old Trafford, but so far Spurs have shown a firm reluctance to reduce their £30m valuation of the player.